Patagonia Safari (5D,6D,7D)
Patagonia Safari tours in Torres del Paine are the soft adventure version of the the Ecocamp’s regular tent domes. Exclusively used for the Patagonia Safari tour programs, the “Suite Domes” were created to share the Ecocamp tour experience with more comfort, custom departures and choice of activity level (Easy or Active).
Patagonia Safari tour programs can start and finish any day of the week. The “Suite Domes” are heated, have private bathrooms with hot water, and outdoor decks for reading or relaxing. Departure days are not fixed, for the program choices (5, 6 or 7 Days), passengers can choose their own tour departure days which run independently of the Ecocamps “Fixed Departure” tours. Lastly, Patagonia Safari passengers can choose their own level of activity (Easy or Active) as noted in the daily itinerary or spend the day enjoying the comforts of the Suite Domes. Patagonia Safari tour clients will be more independent during the day, while enjoying nights socializing with other Ecocamp travelers from around the world.
Itinerary
Patagonia Safari (5D,6D,7D)
(Arrival Day) PUNTA ARENAS – ECOCAMP
(Arrival any day). Passengers will need to arrive around noon (12 PM) to Punta Arenas on the early morning flight from Santiago. From airport pickup, we will drive to EcoCamp (345 km/ 216 miles /5hrs) inside the famous Torres del Paine National Park. In summer time (Dec-Mar), the sun sets around 11PM giving us plenty of light to admire the landscape en route and the craggy mountains as we enter the park. We will make short stops in the township of Puerto Natales to stretch your legs (here you have the chance to securely leave any luggage that you will not need during your stay in the park, at the office).
Overnight at Suite Domes in Las Torres. (L,D)
(Mon) TORRES DEL PAINE
Easy Program (all day): Drive & Walk Western Lakes, Boat across Grey Glacier
Full day visit to Salto Grande, Nordenskjold Lake Trail and Grey Lake Beach. Round trip navigation to Grey Glacier.
Depart EcoCamp: 09:00 am, arrive back: 06:00 pm approx.
Approximate total walking time on the different lake trails: 2 hours
Walking distance: 3 to 5 km / 2 to 3 miles (depending on weather conditions and the group pace)
Boat crossing Grey Lake: approx. 2 hours round
Active Program (all day): Drive & Walk Western Lakes, Hike Cerro Ferrier
Full day visit to Salto Grande, Nordenskjold Lake Trail and Grey Lake Beach. Then steep hike on Ferrier Trail until reaching sightseeing point.
Depart EcoCamp: 09:00 am, arrive back: 07:00 pm approx.
Approximate total walking time on the different lake trails: 5 hours
Distance: 5km / 3 miles (depending on weather conditions and the group pace)
Overnight at Suite Domes in Las Torres. (B,L,D)
(Tue) TORRES DEL PAINE
Easy Program (all day): Walk Laguna Azul and Fauna Trails
Full day Visit to Laguna Azul sector, walk to the lookout point through Lenga forests, continue to the Fauna Trail to watch the Park’s local flora and fauna, closely.
Depart EcoCamp: 09:00 am, arrive back: 06:00 pm approx.
Approximate total walking time on the different lake trails: 3 hours
Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles (depending on weather conditions and the group pace).
Active Program (all day): Trek Towers Base.
Full day trek up the Ascencio Valley to the Towers base.
Depart EcoCamp: 08:00 am, arrive back: 06:00 pm approx.
Approximate walking time: 10 hrs round trip.
Distance: 21 km /13 miles round trip.
Overnight at Suite Domes in Las Torres. (B,L,D)
(Wed) TORRES DEL PAINE
Easy Program (am): Free Morning, Optional Activities
Visit Hostería Las Torres Spa & Massage Center, just 10 min walk from the EcoCamp (not included). Half day horseback riding or ride per hour, just 10 min walk from the EcoCamp (not included).
(pm): Visit Las Torres Flora & Fauna Interpretative Center
Visit the Interpretative Center at Las Torres and walk its trail. Up to 45 different birds might be seen.
Approximate visit time: 3 hrs.
Active Program (am): Hike Cerro Paine
Located near the EcoCamp, the summit of this hill is a good point for appreciating the Park’s rivers & lakes.
Approximate walking time: 4 hrs round trip.
Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles round trip.
(pm): Free Afternoon, Optional Activities
Visit Hostería Las Torres Spa & Massage Center, just 10 min walk from the EcoCamp (not included). Half day horseback riding or ride per hour, just 10 min walk from the EcoCamp (not included).
Overnight at Suite Domes in Las Torres. (B,L,D)
(Thu) TORRES DEL PAINE
Easy Program (all day): Drive & Walk Western Lakes, Boat across Grey Glacier
Full day visit to Salto Grande, Nordenskjold Lake Trail and Grey Lake Beach. Round trip navigation to Grey Glacier.
Depart EcoCamp: 09:00 am, arrive back: 06:00 pm approx.
Approximate total walking time on the different lake trails: 2 hours
Walking distance: 3 to 5 km / 2 to 3 miles (depending on weather conditions and the group pace)
Boat crossing Grey Lake: approx. 2 hours round trip
Active Program (all day): Drive & Walk Western Lakes, Hike Cerro Ferrier
Full day visit to Salto Grande, Nordenskjold Lake Trail and Grey Lake Beach. Then steep hike on Ferrier Trail until reaching sightseeing point.
Depart EcoCamp: 09:00 am, arrive back: 07:00 pm approx.
Approximate total walking time on the different lake trails: 5 hours
Distance: 5km / 3 miles (depending on weather conditions and the group pace)
Overnight at Suite Domes in Las Torres. (B,L,D)
(Fri) TORRES DEL PAINE
Easy Program (all day): Walk Laguna Azul and Fauna Trails
Full day Visit to Laguna Azul sector, walk to the lookout point through Lenga forests, continue to the Fauna Trail to watch the Park’s local flora and fauna, closely.
Depart EcoCamp: 09:00 am, arrive back: 06:00 pm approx.
Approximate total walking time on the different lake trails: 3 hours
Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles (depending on weather conditions and the group pace).
Active Program (all day): Trek Towers Base.
Full day trek up the Ascencio Valley to the Towers base.
Depart EcoCamp: 08:00 am, arrive back: 06:00 pm approx.
Approximate walking time: 10 hrs round trip.
Distance: 21 km /13 miles round trip.
Overnight at Suite Domes in Las Torres. (B,L,D)
(Sat) TORRES DEL PAINE
Easy Program (all day): Walk Mirador Toro
From the different lookout points of this hill there are splendid views of the Park’s Western lakes.
Approximate walking time: 2.5 hrs
Distance: 3 km / 2 miles
Active Program (all day): Boat across Pehoe Lake, Trek French Valley
Boat across the Pehoe Lake and trek up the French Valley in the very middle of the Paine Massif.
Depart EcoCamp: 08:00 am, arrive back: 07:00 pm approx.
Boat across Pehoe Lake: 30 min each way.
Approximate walking time: 6 hrs round trip.
Distance: 11 km / 7 miles round trip.
Overnight at Suite Domes in Las Torres. (B,L,D)
(Sun) TORRES DEL PAINE
Easy Program (am): Free Morning, Optional Activities
Visit Hostería Las Torres Spa & Massage Center, just 10 min walk from the EcoCamp (not included). Half day horseback riding or ride per hour, just 10 min walk from the EcoCamp (not included)
(pm): Visit Las Torres Flora & Fauna Interpretative Center
Visit the Interpretative Center at Las Torres and walk its trail. Up to 45 different birds might be seen.
Approximate visit time: 3 hrs.
Active Program (am): Hike Cerro Paine
Located near the EcoCamp, the summit of this hill is a good point for appreciating the Park’s rivers & lakes.
Approximate walking time: 4 hrs round trip.
Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles round trip.
(pm): Free Afternoon, Optional Activities
Visit Hostería Las Torres Spa & Massage Center, just 10 min walk from the EcoCamp (not included). Half day horseback riding or ride per hour, just 10 min walk from the EcoCamp (not included).I
Overnight at Suite Domes in Las Torres. (B,L,D)
(Departure Day) ECOCAMP - PUNTA ARENAS AIRPORT
(Departure any day). Morning transfer from Eco Camp to Punta Arenas airport, arrival at 3 pm (approx.). (B)
KEY: (B)reakfast, (L)unch, (D)inner
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This adventure involves easy to active trekking. Trekking is generally moderate but we do cover some rugged trails in the active programs. Good physical condition is required. It is the traveler's responsibility to best assess their physical ability to meet the stated Physical Requirements.
Pricing and Details
Pricing
TRIP COST: (per person)
DEPARTURES: Any Day
$1895 Torres Suite Domes - Eco Camp (5D) HS
$2210 Torres Suite Domes - Eco Camp (6D) HS
$2490 Torres Suite Domes - Eco Camp (7D) HS
Shoulder Season (Oct 2010 & Apr 2011)
$1430 Torres Suite Domes - Eco Camp (5D) S
$1660 Torres Suite Domes - Eco Camp (6D) S
$1880 Torres Suite Domes - Eco Camp (7D) S
Price includes: Accommodation at EcoCamp’s Suite Domes, Meals as indicated, All ground transport as indicated, English-Spanish speaking expert escort guide, Park fees for Milodon Cave and Torres del Paine National Park, Boat crossing ticket over Grey Lake and/or Pehoe Lake, Guide ratio 1:12 passengers, Max group size: 16 passengers.
Not included: International round-trip airfare USA/Santiago/USA, Airfare in Chile (unless otherwise noted), Trip Insurance, Lunches and dinners in towns or cites (unless otherwise specified), Hiking boots and other personal gear, Personal expenses (tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, medical, laundry, airport taxes, etc.).
Santiago Services: All trips start and end in Punta Arenas. Overnight Santiago Hotel/Transfer package are available.
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ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Departures: Departures are setup to run on any day with as few as 2 passengers (14 maximum per group).
What is a EcoCamp Suite Dome?: Suite Domes are comfortable 28mt²/ 300 ft² tented igloo-type double domes built the same way as the ancient native Kaweskar’s dwellings. Its structure produces minimal environmental impact while providing an efficient thermal and wind resistant unit, with great exposure to nature in the most magnificent Patagonian setting. Unlike the regular EcoCamp tent domes which are smaller, unheated and use shared bathroom facilities, each Suite Dome has a private bathroom, comfortable double or twin beds, and it is heated by a modern low-emission wood stove. In addition, every dome has its own composting device to process waste and a solar panel as an energy source.
Inside the Suite Domes: The 28mt²/ 300 ft² tented igloo-type double domes will have everything clients need for a comfortable stay. There will be two single beds (1.2 x 2m beds) or a king size bed (1.9x 2m), and a modern low-emission wood stove that will keep the place warm. Bathrooms will be well equipped and will have towels available. For sustainable purposes clients will keep the same towels and blankets during their stay. Additionally, since the Suite Domes will be powered with solar panel generators, there will be no electric capacity to plug devices such as hair dryers, electric shavers, etc, nevertheless camera batteries can be charged in other facilities at the EcoCamp . The Suite Dome will be nicely decorated with natural fibers and other elements from the local culture.
Families or Friends: Two of the suite domes have a loft to accommodate families or friends with 3 or 4 members.
Carbon Offset Program:
Go South Adventures is proud to promote the CarbonFund.org program - which gives all of us the ability to offset our carbon footprint both at home and while traveling on a Go South Adventure. Learn more at CarbonFund.org, where their motto is: "Reduce what you can. Offset what you can't".
